The Mad Butcher
Lo strangolatore di Vienna
“Wait 'til you learn what mixture of meats go into those incredible sausages..!”
Synopsis
After being released from a mental hospital, Otto returns to his old job as a butcher. He tries to adjust to his new life, but after a bitter argument with his wife, he accidentally kills her. Fearing he will be sent back to the hospital, he grinds up her body and sells it as sausages. As friends and relatives start asking questions about her disappearance, they too start ending up in the butcher's display case.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2014-12-23
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 1, 1974
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 29, 2026
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Guido Zurli
- Screenplay & Story
- Dick Randall, Karl Ross, Dag Molin
- Original Title
- Lo strangolatore di Vienna
- Country of Origin
- Italy, Germany, Monaco, Austria
- Spoken Languages
- German, English, Italian
- Runtime
- 1h 23m
- Production Studios
- HIFI Stereo 70, Neptunia Film, Regina-Film
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Guido Zurli
Dick Randall, Karl Ross, Dag Molin
Enzo Alabiso
Department Leadership Roster
Dick Randall
Writer
Karl Ross
Writer
Dag Molin
Writer
Guido Zurli
Director
Gloria Cardi
Costume Design
Enzo Alabiso
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Mad Butcher.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Mad Butcher.
Horror-Slasher
Auto-filled from Letterboxd lists
list2
MovieLens[30K:40K]
Italian Horror
Italian horror cinema: giallo, gothic, zombie, cannibal and beyond.
Slasher Central
Time to sharpen those knives and check the body count! These classic slashers serve up unstoppable killers, terrible decisions, and enough creative kills to fill a morgue. From summer camps to suburban streets, nowhere is safe when the blade starts swinging.
70s Horror Cult
Similar Titles to The Mad Butcher
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
6.7
5.5
6.2
3.5
6.4
6.2
5.7
5.6
10.0
5.7
4.4
9.0
8.0
6.3
5.2
7.0
More Like The Mad Butcher
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Mad Butcher
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Mad Butcher about?
After being released from a mental hospital, Otto returns to his old job as a butcher. He tries to adjust to his new life, but after a bitter argument with his wife, he accidentally kills her. Fearing he will be sent back to the hospital, he grinds up her body and sells it as sausages. As friends and relatives start asking questions about her disappearance, they too start ending up in the butcher's display case.
Who directed The Mad Butcher?
The Mad Butcher was directed by Guido Zurli.
Who stars in The Mad Butcher?
The principal cast of The Mad Butcher includes Victor Buono, Franca Polesello, Brad Harris, Dario Michaelis, Karin Field.
When was The Mad Butcher released and how long is it?
The Mad Butcher was released in 1971 with a total runtime of 1h 23m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Mad Butcher?
The Mad Butcher holds official age classifications: DE: 18 (FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.).